2nd attempt...Lily

i tried a different approach as suggested in my first attempt......not shooting directly (from above) down...i am asking for your help again...this is the only way i can learn is from you guys....i really appreciate you guys......should i have used the Circular Polarize Filter to darken the blue sky? As well as anything else you guys see i need to correct
my camera settings were.........T2i....Ki​t Lens..18-55mm.....TV..1/250....​f11...ISO 100...FL 24mm

There does not seem to be much direct light in the flower which makes it slightly under-exposed. Focus is good (and should be at these settings ) I have said it before on this forum: get yourself a depth of field calculator on your mobile phone and have a tape measure in your backpack. That way you can comfortably check on the optimal settings for depth of field at the right aperture and necessary shuttespeed and lowest ISO possible!
For the composition: the shot is centred on the flower. Think about the rule of thirds and get your main subject away from the center.
When I shoot flowers I try to get more than one in the frame: one in full flower, one in the bud and sometimes - when they don't look too ugly - a slightly wilted one as well. Just to show the various stages. Keep shooting and learning!

thanks Henk.....like i mentioned..this the only way i can learn...from my mistakes and help from guys like you...its greatly appreciated.....

i might have used a polarizer to darken the sky and maybe shoot at your lowest aperture setting at AV priority. also because the flower is thin i think that is what is causing the un even lighting. maybe choose a different time of day or wait for that cloud to shade and get a real even exposure

I like the colours.

David